Stencil-moistening apparatus



Jan. Z, 1951 H.. P. ELLIOTT 2,536,541

STENCILMOISTENING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1949 2 sheets-sheet 1 ny. z.

Jan. 2, 1951 H. P. ELLlcTT STENCIL-MOISTENING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1949 ffy. 3,

Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES,PATENT OFFICE STENCIL-MOISTENING AFPARATUS Harmon P. Elliott, Watertown, Mass.

Application February 16, 1949, Serial No. 76,817

(Cl. Sil-38) '9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in stencil-moistening apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for moistening the stencil tissue of printing stencils preliminarily to typecutting of a name and address, or other information, in the stencil tissue.

The names and addresses, or other information, which are to be borne by the stencil tissues of printing stencils of the general type employed in addressing machines and other business and statistical machines, are type-cut in the tissues by a typist using a typewriter equipped with special stencil-cutting characters. But, in order to effectively cut a name and address, or other data, in the stencil, the stencil tissue needs to be preliminarily moistened, preferably on that side of the tissue which is to be struck by the type-characters of the typewriter.

It is among the objects of my present invention to provide a relatively small and conveniently portable stencil-moistening apparatus which may rest on any suitable support beside the typist and which is adapted to project a moistened stencil into convenient reach of the typist in response to a mere up-stroke of the typists hand against an actuator.

Another object is to provide a stencil-meistening apparatus wherein a supply of stencils is held in a stack with the tissue of the lowermost stencil normally resting against a capillary moistening wick, and wherein stencil-projecting means is operable to move the moistened lowermost stencil along a supporting track to a projected pick-off position in response to a relatively slight uplifting of the stack of stencils.

.A further object is to provide a stencil-moistening apparatus wherein a supply of stencils is held in a stack above a track, with the lowermost stenci] resting on the vtrack and with the tissue of the lowermost stencil engaging a moistening wick, the track being pivotally mounted at one end, and there being means for projecting the lowermost stencil to a pick-off position in response to a movement of the track about its pivot.

It is, moreover, my purpose and object generally to improve the structure and eiliciency of stencil-moistening apparatus and especially apparatus for moistening the stencil tissues preparatory to type-cutting of printing characters in the stencil tissues` In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of stencil-moistening apparatus embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with the forward portion of a stencil shown dotted in projected pick-oli position;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, but showing the device in stencil-projecting condition;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the stencil track elements with the stencil-projecting slide mounted thereon;

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the wick-supporting bracket; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View of one of the stencils, on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, a rectangular container l0 is suitably secured on a base i2 Whose under side preferably will be provided with protective feet i4, of rubber or the like, to avoid marring of a desk or table on which th-e base l2 may rest.

Two parallel bars I6 extend along and above the opposite side walls of container ii), they being rigidly connected together at the region of the front of the container by the cross bar i8, and their rear ends being pivotally supported o n the rear Wall of container it by means of shaft 2i) which extends through ears 22 on bracket 24 and through depending ears 25 on the bars I6. Bracket 24 is secured to the rear Wall of container l0 as by the screws 28.

A stencil holder is indicated generally at 38, it being secured, as at 32, to the upper sides of bars it, and it is adapted to hold a stack of stencils 34, with the lowermost stencil in the stack resting on the bars I6. Each bar i6 is reduced in thickness at 3E, so that the lowermost stencil rests on the reduced thickness portions of the bars, with the longitudinal shoulders 33 (Fig. c) extending along the side edges of the stencil frame. Hence, the bars I 6 constitute rails of a track along whose reduced portions 35 a stencil may move toward the front of the apparatus.

A slide is indicated generally at lill, it being slidably mounted on the bars I6 and having a portion 42 extending across from one bar I6 to the other. Portion 42 has the forwardly facing shoulders 44 thereon arranged and adapted to engage the rear edge of the lowermost stencil, which is resting directly on the reduced thickness portions 3S of bars it, when the slide it is moved forward along bars l5, thereby to project the lowermost stencil a substantial distance forwardly of the stack 34, as best seen. at i6 in Fig. 3, and in the top plan View of Fig. 2 wherein the projected stencil is shown in dotted outline.

Slide 4D is operated to project the lowermost stencil in response to a relatively small upward swinging of bars I6. The slide, at each side of the apparatus, has an upstanding ear .or lug 58 thereon, and the forward ends of two coil springs l below the plane of the bars.

Y other liquid, therein.

50 are connected respectively to the ears 48 at opposite sides of the apparatus. The rear ends of springs 50 are connected respectively to the rear ends of bars I6, as by means of a hook or eyelet 52 upstanding at the rear end of each bar I6. Hence, the springs 50 constantly bias the slide 40 rearwardly to the limit of its rearward travel, which limit may be determined by stop screws 54 or any other suitable stop means.

A pulley 55 is rotatably mounted forwardly on each bar I6, as by means of a bracket 58 secured to the outer margin of each bar and depending Two separate belts 60 are trained over the respective pulleys., with their rear ends Secured respectively to the slide ear 48 at each side of the apparatus, and with their forward ends anchored at 62 low down on 4 the front wall of container EU. Actually, the belts 6 0 have their anchorages 52 at the opposite laterally projecting ends of a bar -ii which is secured to Vthe front wall of container IED, so that each belt may be generally in a vertical plane.

When itis desired to project a stencil to the pick-olf position at Il@ in Figs. 2 and 3, the -typist merely lifts the forward end of a bar i S, the bars i6 projecting a substantial distance forwardly of the stencil stack for this purpose, and Atheir forwardly projecting portions being reduced ln thickness to the thickness of the track portions B, so that they will not interfere with the lforward movement of a stencil. Lifting of bars i from their position of Fig. l to their position of Fis. 3 willfcause slide to have relative. motion forward along bars l5 from its position Q Figs. l and 2 to its position of Fig. 3, and the relative motion will be in opposition to the biasing force of the springs 553. The forward relative motion of Slide d will cause shoulders il@ of the slide to engage the rear Yedge of the lowermost stencil in the stack, thereby to project the engaged stencil forward as in Fig. 3. When .the bars It are released, they drop back to their positions of Fig. l, and springs 55 return slide d@ to its rearmost position of Figs. 1 and 2. Any suitable stop means, such as screws 55 may limit the forward travel 4of slide fail. Moistening of the tissue of each lowermost stencil in the stack 3d is accomplished while .the apparatus is in its condition as shown in Fig. l. As shown in 3, a capillary wick 66 is supe ported within container It on any suitable supporting frame or bracket G8. The Wick (SiiVV ViS shown as in the form of a sheet o capillary material draped over its support so that substantial portions of the sheet, at opposite sides oi the support, hang well down in container lil which will have a substantial amount of water "lo, or The elevated portion of the wick will be located so as to be engaged by the tissue of the iowermost stencil in the stack Vwhen the apparatus is in its condition of Fig. l;

Hence, prior to each stencil-projecting Yactuation of the apparatus, the tissue of the lowermost stencil will be in direct engagement with wick .6E which will ,be constantly wetted by .capillary ace tion so long as liquid remains in container it'. And, as each lowermost stencil is projected and removed from the apparatus, another .automatis cally becomes the' lowermost stencil with its tissue in moistening contact with wick It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features 0i patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed. Y

I claim as my invention:

1. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, means for holding a stack of stencils, means providing a track extending under the stack of stencils with the lowermost stencil resting on the track, said lowermost stencil having a tissue portion, moistening means engaging said tissue portion ofthe lowermost stencil in the stack, thereby to moisten the tissue, means Vfor moving said track and stack of stencils and said means for holding the stack in general direction away from said moistening means, and a slide member on said track slidable in one direction along the track in response to said movement of the track, stack and holding means away from the moistening means, said slide member having means for engaging said lowermost stencil in the course of its said sliding travel thereby to project the lowermost stencil beyond the stack to a pick-off position.

2. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, a container for holding a supply of liquid, a wick supported in said container and constantly wetted by capillary action, a frame pivotally associated with said container and adapted to restlby gravity across the mouth of the container, said frame including a pair of parallel rails, means mounted on said rails for holding a stack of stencils with the lowermost stencil of the stack resting on said rails, each said stencil having a tissue portion and the tissue portion of the lowermost stencil being in yengagement with said wick, means for manually moving said frame about its pivot, and means responsive to a said movement of the frame about its pivot for Vmoving the lowermost stencil along said rails to a projected pick-oli position.

3. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, la container for holding a supply of liquid, a wick sup-v ported in said container and constantly wetted by capillary Vaction-a frame pivotally associated with said container and adapted to rest'by gravity across the mouth of the container, said frame including a pair of parallel rails, means mounted on said .rails for holding a stack of stencils `with the lowermost stencil of the stack resting on said rails, each said stencil having o, tissue portion and the tissue 'portion of the lowermost stencil being in engagement with Vsaid wick, means for manually moving said frame about its pivot, a slide member Vmovable along said rails and having means forengaging the lowermost stencil to project it'beyond :the stack to a pick-off position, and means for moving the slide member along the rails in response to a movement of said pivcted frame about its pivot.

4. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, a container for 'holding a supply of liquid, a wick siiported in said container and constantly wetted by capillary action, a frame pivotally associated with said container and adapted to rest by gravity across .the mouth of the container,V said frame including a pair of parallel rails'y means mounted on said rails for holding a stack of vstencils with the lowermost stencil of the stack resting on said rails, each said stencil having a tissue portion andthe tissue portion of the lower- .iost stencil vbeing in, engagement with said wick, means for manually moving said vtrame about its pivot, a slide member slidably mounted on said rails, resilient means biasing the slide to one limit of its sliding travel along therails, means on the slide for engaging and projecting the `lowermost stencil when the slide moves in opposition to its said bias, at least one of said rails projecting forwardly of the stack `of stencils and constituting an actuator for said frame,r and means responsive to an actuation of said frame about its pivot for moving the slide member in opposition to its said bias, thereby to project the lowermost stencil to a pick-off position.

5. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, means for holding a stack of stencils with the tissue portions of all of the stencils in registering alignment in the stack, a moistening wick arranged to engage and moisten the tissue portion of the lowermost stencil in the stack, means for moving the stack of stencils and said means for holding the stack in general direction away from said moistening wick, thereby to move the. lowermost stencil, whose tissue portion will have been moistened, out of engagement with the wick, and means responsive to said movement of the stack of stencils and its holding means for projecting the lowermost stencil out of the stack to a pickoff position. j

6. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, means for holding a stack of stencils with the tissue portions of all of the stencils in registering alignment in the stack, a container below the stack of stencils adapted to hold a supply of gliquid, a frame pivotally mounted on the container and including a pair of rails extending in supporting relation to the stack of stencils and said means for holding the stack, with the lowermost stencil resting on the rails, a moistening wick supported within the container and engaging the tissue portion of the lowermost stencil, said frame being movable about its pivot to lift A,the stack and its holding means and the lowermost stencil away from said wick, a slide member movable along said rails and adapted to engage'and move the lowermost stencil along the rails 'to a pro jeoted position, and means for moving the slide to project the lowermost stencil in response to a said movement of the frame about itspivot.

'l'. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, means for holding a stack of stencils with the tissue portions of all of the stencils in registering alignment in the stack, a container," below the stack of stencils adapted to hold a supply of liquid, a frame pivotally mounted on the container and including a pair of rails extending in supporting relation to the stack of stencils and said means for holding the stack, with the lowermost stencil resting on the rails, a moistenlg Wick in the container in moistening engagement with the tissue portion of the lowermost stencil, an actuator on said frame for facilitating manual movement of the frame about its pivot thereby to lift the stack and its holding means andlthe lowermost stencil away from said Wickel and means operable in response to a said movement of the frame for projecting the lowermost stencil partially out of the stack of stencils.

assaun 8. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, means for holding a stack of stencils with the tissue portions of all of the stencils in registering alignment in the stack, a container below the stack of stencils adapted to hold a supply of liquid, a frame pivotally mounted on the container and including a pair of rails extending in supporting relation to the stack of stencils and said means for holding the stack, with the lowermost stencil resting on the rails, a moistening wick supported within the container and engaging the tissue portion of the lowermost stencil, a slide mounted on said frame and movable along said rails, resilient means yieldably maintaining the slide in a retracted rearward position, and tensile means connected to the slide and adapted to move the slide forwardly along said rails, in opposition to said resilient means, when said frame is actuated about its pivot, and means on said slide for engaging an edge of the lowermost stencil during a said forward movement of the slide thereby to project the lowermost stencil partially out of the stack of stencils in response to a said movement of the frame about its pivot.

9. In a stencil-moistening apparatus, means for holding a stack of stencils with the tissue portions of all of the stencils in registering alignment in the staclea container below the stack of stencils adapted to hold a supply of liquid, a frame pivotally mounted on the container and including a pair of rails ,extending in supporting relation to the stack of stencils and said means for holding the stack, with the lowermost stencil resting on the rails, said frame normally supporting the lowermost stencil in a generally horizontal plane and being swingable about its pivot to lift the stack and its said holding means thereby to lift the lowermost stencil out of said horizontal plane, moistening vmeans for engaging the tissue portion of the lowermost stencil when the stencil is in its said horizontal plane, and means for projecting the leading portion of the lowermost stencil forwardly in response to a said lifting of the stencil out of said generally horizontal plane.

HARMON P. ELLIOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,180,708 Feybusch Apr. 25, 1916 1,210,441 Elliott Jan. 2, 1917 2,152,180 Elliott Mar. 28, 1939 

